What’s Included in a Luxury Villa Rental? A Complete Cost Breakdown
The per-night rate is only part of the cost. Here’s exactly what’s included in a ShavyStays villa rental, what’s extra, and what a full weekend actually costs once food, chef, transport, and incidentals are added in.
Every week, guests ask us the same question: “What’s actually included in the rate?” The answer isn’t complicated, but it’s not obvious either — different villa platforms include different things, and the base rate rarely covers everything you’d assume.
This is the transparent breakdown we give every guest before they book.
The 30-Second Answer
Your base rate includes: the entire villa, all bedrooms, private pool, housekeeping, utilities, WiFi, and the use of shared spaces. It does not include: chef service, food, transport, activities, or alcohol. For a group of 12 staying 2 nights, budget the villa rate plus ₹20,000–₹30,000 for chef, groceries, and incidentals. Damage deposit is separate and refundable.
What’s Included in the Base Rate
| Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Entire villa | All bedrooms, bathrooms, and common areas — exclusive use for your group |
| Private pool | Exclusive use; unheated at most villas, heated as premium add-on |
| Daily housekeeping | Morning turndown and cleaning; extra requests usually at no charge |
| WiFi | Fiber-optic, 100+ Mbps; backup power for routers |
| Utilities | Electricity, water, cooking gas — all included in the rate |
| Parking | Private on-site parking for multiple vehicles |
| Basic amenities | Toiletries, towels, bed linen, basic kitchen equipment |
| Caretaker / manager | On-site staff available during your stay for questions and issues |
Everything above is covered by the per-night rate you see on the villa page. No surprises there.
What’s NOT Included — The Common Add-Ons
| Add-On | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Chef service | Grocery cost + 7% VAT + service fee (see below) |
| Groceries / food | ₹1,200–₹2,000 per person per day, chef-cooked |
| Transport | Tempo Traveller ₹12,000–₹18,000 round trip; bus ₹18,000–₹30,000 |
| Activities | Trekking, rafting, adventure parks — ₹500–₹2,000 per person per activity |
| Alcohol | BYOB usually allowed; some villas charge ₹500–₹1,500 corkage per bottle |
| Pool heating | ₹2,000–₹5,000 per night (winter only; confirm availability) |
| Bonfire setup | ₹1,500–₹3,000 per night |
| Extra mattresses | ₹500–₹1,500 per mattress if exceeding base capacity |
| Early check-in / late check-out | Usually ₹2,000–₹5,000, subject to availability |
None of these are mandatory. A group that cooks simple meals, drives their own cars, and skips activities can keep add-ons to near-zero. Most groups book at least the chef service.
How the Chef Service Actually Works
Chef service is the single most-asked-about add-on. Here’s how it works at ShavyStays:
- You cover the grocery cost — the chef shops for fresh ingredients based on the menu you agree on. Receipts are shared with you.
- 7% VAT on groceries — standard Indian tax on food
- Service fee — typically ₹3,000–₹6,000 per day, depending on group size and number of meals
- Chef handles three meals — breakfast, lunch, dinner; plus tea/coffee and snacks if requested
- Menu is customised — you choose cuisines (Indian, Continental, Local, Jain, Vegan) and dishes
- Special diets handled — Jain, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-specific menus on request
Example: Group of 12, chef service for 2 days at ₹5,000/day service fee plus groceries ₹1,500/person/day:
- Service fee: ₹5,000 × 2 = ₹10,000
- Groceries: ₹1,500 × 12 × 2 = ₹36,000
- 7% VAT on groceries: ₹2,520
- Total chef cost: ₹48,520
Compare to eating out for 12 people at a good restaurant in Lonavala: ₹1,500–₹2,500 per person per meal × 6 meals = ₹1,08,000–₹1,80,000. The chef service is significantly cheaper and more convenient for groups of 10+.
Sample 2-Night Budget — Group of 12
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Villa (2 nights, mid-range Lonavala 4BR) | ₹60,000 |
| Chef service (see above) | ₹48,520 |
| Transport (Tempo Traveller round trip) | ₹15,000 |
| Bonfire | ₹2,500 |
| Extra incidentals (ice, snacks, mixers) | ₹5,000 |
| Total (excl. alcohol) | ₹1,31,020 |
| Per person (12 guests) | ~₹10,918 |
Add alcohol, activities, or pool heating if applicable. Most Mumbai weekend villa getaways land at ₹9,000–₹15,000 per person for 2 nights, all-in.
Deposits, Cancellations, and GST
- Damage deposit — ₹10,000–₹50,000, refundable after checkout if no damage. Refunded within 7–10 business days.
- Cancellation policy — 100% refund 90+ days out; 50% refund 60–90 days; no refund 0–60 days. Some villas have stricter peak-season policies.
- GST invoice — all bookings include GST-compliant tax invoice. Confirm the invoicing entity name and GST number before booking.
- Payment structure — typically 50% at booking, 50% before check-in. Some villas require full payment upfront for peak weekends.
What’s Never Included (At Any Villa)
- Personal expenses — spa treatments, private drivers, personal shopping
- Damages — broken furniture, stained linens, or damage to fixtures are charged separately
- Late checkout beyond policy — usually charged at 50% of the nightly rate per extra hour
- Lost keys or access cards — replacement cost
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chef service included in the villa rate?
No — chef service is always an add-on. You cover the grocery cost plus 7% VAT and a service fee (typically ₹3,000–₹6,000 per day depending on group size). Most groups of 10+ find it more cost-effective than eating out for every meal.
Is housekeeping included?
Yes — daily morning housekeeping is included at all our villas. This covers room cleaning, bed making, bathroom freshening, and basic kitchen cleanup. Linen changes happen every 2–3 days or on request.
Do I need to pay extra for electricity or water?
No — utilities (electricity, water, cooking gas) are all included in the base rate. The only exception is pool heating, which is a paid add-on if you need it in winter months.
What’s the damage deposit and when is it refunded?
Damage deposits range from ₹10,000–₹50,000 depending on the villa. Refunded within 7–10 business days after checkout, provided no damage or missing items. Minor wear and tear is never charged.
Can I bring my own food and cook?
Yes — all our villas have fully equipped kitchens. You can bring your own groceries and cook, or order in. If you book chef service, the chef shops and cooks for you; some villas also allow external catering with prior approval.
Is alcohol included?
No — alcohol is never included. Most villas allow BYOB, but some charge corkage of ₹500–₹1,500 per bottle. Confirm the villa’s policy before booking if you plan to bring a large amount.
Do I get a GST invoice for corporate bookings?
Yes — all ShavyStays bookings include GST-compliant tax invoices. For corporate bookings, confirm the invoicing entity name, GST number, and address before the booking is confirmed. Some smaller villa owners don’t issue GST invoices, so we verify upfront.
What if we need an early check-in or late check-out?
Subject to availability, early check-in or late check-out is usually ₹2,000–₹5,000. Standard check-in is 3pm; standard check-out is 11am. If no other group is arriving or departing, we can often arrange flexibility at no charge — ask us.
The Bottom Line
Villa base rates cover the villa, pool, housekeeping, WiFi, and utilities. Everything else — chef, food, transport, activities, alcohol — is extra. Budget a total of ₹9,000–₹15,000 per person for 2 nights for a mid-range Mumbai weekend villa, all-in.
If you want a rough cost for your specific group and dates, share your requirements with our concierge team — they’ll build a full estimate including villa, chef, transport, and activities.
Browse our Lonavala and Khandala villa collections, or see villas with private chef service if you know you want a chef-cooked weekend.
Want a full cost estimate for your group?
Our concierge team responds within 24 hours with a villa, chef, and transport estimate tailored to your group.